Plus, they claimed the DOP regulations changed and they were forced to get theirs certified by a third party agency due to label issues for that year's crop. It's been a few years now and they still have label issues? Now the new "certified" label say there may be a secondary label underneath? Plus, the label dimensions can be seen through the paper showing fractions - not metric - measurements. When did Italy switch to standard measurements?

Actually, I buy the Cento Italian. $2.18 for a 35oz can, and they are better than the vast majority of DOP tomatoes I've tried. Do the math on that.

Personally, I'm offended by companies charging DOP prices for real DOP tomatoes that aren't as good as other non-DOP tomatoes, and there are plenty of them that fall into this group. From my perspective, DOP is effectively a scam to [often] charge more than a tomato is really worth.

Like most folks here, I'm perfectly capable of reading a label and determining if the product is truly D.O.P. or a marketing ploy. So long as they are not telling me it is DOP when it isn't (and they are not), I have no problem with them. IMO, your righteous indignation is misplaced.

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"We make great pizza, with sourdough when we can, commercial yeast when we must, but always great pizza." Craig's Neapolitan Garage

I'm not doubting the quality of the tomatoes. I'm questioning the price. 35 oz is cheaper than 28 oz certified? Why pay more for less when it's the same product in the can? My math is fine. The label is taking advantage of people who think are DOP. DOP San Marzano are suppose to be genetically San Marzano tomatoes. Not Roma tomatoes that may have been cross bred with real SM tomatoes. Real SM tomatoes are soft and broken in the can because genetically they're weaker. That's why they're rare and cost more. Plus, they taste sweeter.

It's taking advantage of the consumer. Just like Capatriti olive oil. They're getting sued by the National Olive Oil Association for "mislabeling". Basically, they were putting any type of edible oil in their cans and bottles and labeling it olive oil. It wasn't. Don't think these big companies are all sincere to their word. Looking at the banks giving out bonuses after getting bailout money. Different industry, still scammers.

I'm not doubting the quality of the tomatoes. I'm questioning the price. 35 oz is cheaper than 28 oz certified? Why pay more for less when it's the same product in the can? My math is fine. The label is taking advantage of people who think are DOP. DOP San Marzano are suppose to be genetically San Marzano tomatoes. Not Roma tomatoes that may have been cross bred with real SM tomatoes. Real SM tomatoes are soft and broken in the can because genetically they're weaker. That's why they're rare and cost more. Plus, they taste sweeter.

I have both of these in my kitchen. I can tell a definite difference/taste between the 2.

I'm not doubting the quality of the tomatoes. I'm questioning the price. 35 oz is cheaper than 28 oz certified? Why pay more for less when it's the same product in the can? My math is fine.

Your math may be fine, but your facts aren't. It’s not necessarily the same. They only claim that Cento makes with the “Italian” product (35oz can) is that it is a “Product of Italy.” To the best of my knowledge, their “certified” product is only claimed to be certified San Marzano tomatoes. Nothing more. The “Italian” product may or may not be San Marzano tomato. They don’t say either way.

Perhaps some education is in order. San Marzano is a variety of plum tomato. It can be grown from the volcanic soils of Mt. Vesuvius to the clay soil of my yard here on the coastal plains of Texas. The quality may vary by growing area, but the variety does not. If you start with San Marzano seed, you get San Marzano tomatoes. It doesn’t matter where you grow them; it’s still a San Marzano tomato. D.O.P. certification imposes additional requirements beyond the variety grown – such as the growing region.

Contrast San Marzano tomatoes to Bordeaux wine or Vidalia onions. They are very different. Bordeaux is not a grape variety and Vidalia is not an onion variety. They are the names of the growing region, and in either case, more than one variety can be used. To have the name Bordeaux or Vidalia, the grapes or onions must be grown in the officially defined regions. This is not the case with San Marzano Tomatoes; the growing region only matters is when it comes to D.O.P. certification.

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The label is taking advantage of people who think are DOP. DOP San Marzano are suppose to be genetically San Marzano tomatoes. Not Roma tomatoes that may have been cross bred with real SM tomatoes. Real SM tomatoes are soft and broken in the can because genetically they're weaker. That's why they're rare and cost more. Plus, they taste sweeter.

Yes, and this is what Cento has paid to have certified – that they are in fact San Marzano variety tomatoes, and this is all that they are claiming on their labels. You are confusing elements that are not necessarily related. While D.O.P. San Marzano tomatoes must be genetically San Marzano tomatoes as you write, D.O.P. signifies more than simply the variety – such as the precise growing region, how they are to be grown, and the size, shape, and color when (hand) harvested. Cento isn’t making a claim on any of this with their “Certified” product. There is no reason why they can’t market genetically pure San Marzano tomatoes that don’t meet the other D.O.P. requirements and call them “certified" San Marzano but not calling them D.O.P.

As for being sweeter, that far from being a given.

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It's taking advantage of the consumer. Just like Capatriti olive oil. They're getting sued by the National Olive Oil Association for "mislabeling". Basically, they were putting any type of edible oil in their cans and bottles and labeling it olive oil. It wasn't. Don't think these big companies are all sincere to their word. Looking at the banks giving out bonuses after getting bailout money. Different industry, still scammers.

No. It’s not, and your olive oil example couldn’t possibly be more apples and oranges. What Cento is doing is not dishonest and illegal as in the case of the olive oil you described. You might think it is misleading, but it is perfectly accurate and legal. At some point, the consumer has to be responsible for educating himself. There are plenty of label requirements to protect against outright fraud as you described in your olive oil example. How many people in the US have ever heard of a D.O.P. San Marzano tomato? Not very many. And, of those that have, how many don’t know to look for D.O.P. on the label? When you get down to it, there is nobody to fool. How do you take advantage of the customer when there are no customers you can take advantage of???

If you’re really worried about companies taking advantage of the customer, why don’t you go after the those selling true D.O.P. San Marzano tomatoes that they know are inferior under the D.O.P. label just so that they can charge more money for them? Now that is intentionally misleading and taking advantage of the customer. As far as I’m concerned, they are the scammers. You should be applauding Cento for offering high quality alternatives at better prices. The “Certified” are about $1 less expensive than the D.O.P. items I have available to me, and the value of the “Italian” 35oz product simply can’t be beat.

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I did not want to chime in on this, but there is a lot if misinformation here. Not in what constitutes DOP, but what Cento Certified is - and that is a can of tomatoes that are just as good, if not better than most DOP out there. They are certainly SM, tender, slightly sweet and incredible on NP pizza. I have been using Cento DOP and Certified for years, and have sampled nearly every other DOP for sale in the last 5 years. Whether or not you want to pay that much for the Certified is certainly up to you, but the tomatoes are not somehow bad because of wording on a label. Taste and make decisions - don't let some consortium in Italy that is more mafioso than anything else determine what you buy.

I recently purchased a known, true DOP can which I paid nearly $5 for. I frequently purchase these expensive tomatoes for variety and general interest. The tomatoes were so sour it ruined the pizza entirely. DOP does not guarantee anything but a serial number.

I have been using the Cento Italian lately due to the better price. They are not, however, the same as the Certified with a different label. But they are a great can of tomatoes.

Your math may be fine, but your facts aren't. It’s not necessarily the same. They only claim that Cento makes with the “Italian” product (35oz can) is that it is a “Product of Italy.” To the best of my knowledge, their “certified” product is only claimed to be certified San Marzano tomatoes. Nothing more. The “Italian” product may or may not be San Marzano tomato. They don’t say either way.

Perhaps some education is in order. San Marzano is a variety of plum tomato. It can be grown from the volcanic soils of Mt. Vesuvius to the clay soil of my yard here on the coastal plains of Texas. The quality may vary by growing area, but the variety does not. If you start with San Marzano seed, you get San Marzano tomatoes. It doesn’t matter where you grow them; it’s still a San Marzano tomato. D.O.P. certification imposes additional requirements beyond the variety grown – such as the growing region.

Contrast San Marzano tomatoes to Bordeaux wine or Vidalia onions. They are very different. Bordeaux is not a grape variety and Vidalia is not an onion variety. They are the names of the growing region, and in either case, more than one variety can be used. To have the name Bordeaux or Vidalia, the grapes or onions must be grown in the officially defined regions. This is not the case with San Marzano Tomatoes; the growing region only matters is when it comes to D.O.P. certification.

Yes, and this is what Cento has paid to have certified – that they are in fact San Marzano variety tomatoes, and this is all that they are claiming on their labels. You are confusing elements that are not necessarily related. While D.O.P. San Marzano tomatoes must be genetically San Marzano tomatoes as you write, D.O.P. signifies more than simply the variety – such as the precise growing region, how they are to be grown, and the size, shape, and color when (hand) harvested. Cento isn’t making a claim on any of this with their “Certified” product. There is no reason why they can’t market genetically pure San Marzano tomatoes that don’t meet the other D.O.P. requirements and call them “certified" San Marzano but not calling them D.O.P.

As for being sweeter, that far from being a given.

No. It’s not, and your olive oil example couldn’t possibly be more apples and oranges. What Cento is doing is not dishonest and illegal as in the case of the olive oil you described. You might think it is misleading, but it is perfectly accurate and legal. At some point, the consumer has to be responsible for educating himself. There are plenty of label requirements to protect against outright fraud as you described in your olive oil example. How many people in the US have ever heard of a D.O.P. San Marzano tomato? Not very many. And, of those that have, how many don’t know to look for D.O.P. on the label? When you get down to it, there is nobody to fool. How do you take advantage of the customer when there are no customers you can take advantage of???

If you’re really worried about companies taking advantage of the customer, why don’t you go after the those selling true D.O.P. San Marzano tomatoes that they know are inferior under the D.O.P. label just so that they can charge more money for them? Now that is intentionally misleading and taking advantage of the customer. As far as I’m concerned, they are the scammers. You should be applauding Cento for offering high quality alternatives at better prices. The “Certified” are about $1 less expensive than the D.O.P. items I have available to me, and the value of the “Italian” 35oz product simply can’t be beat.

Spot on as usual Craig, very nice write up.

For my red highlighted words above...how is it that the inferior D.O.P. labeled product receive the "label" if they are inferior tomatoes? Thanks.

I recently purchased a known, true DOP can which I paid nearly $5 for. I frequently purchase these expensive tomatoes for variety and general interest. The tomatoes were so sour it ruined the pizza entirely. DOP does not guarantee anything but a serial number.

My same observation. Tomatoes, like flour are an agricultural crop. They will change. Sometimes adjustments will need to be made including switching brands or a different line within the same brand.

When I wrote "inferior," I simply meant that they don't taste as good as other similar tomatoes D.O.P. or not. I didn't mean inferior as in not meeting the D.O.P. requirements.

OK thanks Craig....just having a hard time understanding how a tomato could not taste all that great if it is able to meet the DOP requirements. I mean, isn't that what "labeling" is supposed to assure?

OK thanks Craig....just having a hard time understanding how a tomato could not taste all that great if it is able to meet the DOP requirements. I mean, isn't that what "labeling" is supposed to assure?

No, the D.O.P. label is not a taste quality assurance (though the producers are more than happy to have you believe it is). It is an assurance (and not a guarantee) that a certain minimum set of standards are met.

This can easily become a never ending discussion, there is so much "smoke and mirrors " and hocus, pocus going on with San Marzano tomatoes that nobody really "knows" all that goes on behind the scene, and no less what is going on in another country. Judge tomatoes by the ONLY thing that is important, how they taste to you! IMO the best of our own California and New Jersey crops are every bit the equal or better than anything grown anywhere else in the world, Italy included.

This can easily become a never ending discussion, there is so much "smoke and mirrors " and hocus, pocus going on with San Marzano tomatoes that nobody really "knows" all that goes on behind the scene, and no less what is going on in another country. Judge tomatoes by the ONLY thing that is important, how they taste to you! IMO the best of our own California and New Jersey crops are every bit the equal or better than anything grown anywhere else in the world, Italy included.

Amen. In the summer I will use local Jersey, in winter, if I don't have any jarred I will just buy sauce in a can.

I have tried a lot of San Marzano tomatoes over the past year including some great tomatoes that are grown right here in the U.S. If you find a company that you like, keep buying them. i am sure that i will continue trying different brands for fun, but again, there are some great tomatoes grown right here.

Today i made chilli for a school auction fund raiser. I used four cans of Escalon 6 in 1. They are a big part of the chilli recipe. I tired them with a spoon and I have to say that 6 in 1 is fantastic tomatoes. They are certainly priced right too. I guess my point is to buy what tastes good to you despite the name on the label or where they claim to be from.

Amen. In the summer I will use local Jersey, in winter, if I don't have any jarred I will just buy sauce in a can.[/quote]

I too enjoy the jersey tomatoes. I still buy some canned toms but the past couple of years we will drive to the farm stands in jersey and do a taste test with their tomatoes; when we find a stand that we really like we buy a couple of bushels, head home and start the "canning" process. Of course not all tomatoes are canned due to the fact that it is also "Vidalia" onion season so we need some toms for the vidalia, tom and mayo sandwiches!

I just wanted to post an update since everyone thinks I'm crazy and/or wrong.

Bioagricert got back to me when I asked them for a copy of the certification which they sent me as a pdf file. No where is Cento listed. I told them that their logo was on the Cento website. Here is what they responded with:

hereby I confirm to you:

- Cento is an US client of an our certified company: Coop Solania srl, product producer in Italy.

- Solania is certified by Bioagricert exclusively under the UNI EN ISO 22005:2008 ‘Production Traceability Chain’ . You can find Solania 22005 Certificate (IT/EN) as annex to this e-mail.

As Certification body of the supplier we can’t move directly on Cento, however we’re asking them to remove wrong and misleading statements from their website.

The Bioagricert logo on the Cento website is now gone.

I have a can here that says "CERTIFIED". Above that it says "DELL'AGRO SARNESE-NOCERINO". The cans I see now don't say "DELL'AGRO SARNESE-NOCERINO" anymore.

All I'm trying to do is educate a few people and to keep us all from getting scammed. Why pay over $2.00 a can for a certification that isn't real?

I just wanted to post an update since everyone thinks I'm crazy and/or wrong.

All I'm trying to do is educate a few people and to keep us all from getting scammed. Why pay over $2.00 a can for a certification that isn't real?

Save your money and buy what tastes good.

I don't think you are crazy; I think you have a hidden agenda that is not as noble as you would like us to believe.

What is your real name?

Who do you work for?

Why is it that you have never posted anything here except your anti-Cento rants?

Why pay over $2 (let alone $4+) for a 28oz can with a real certification when I can get a 35oz can of Cento Italian for about $2 and they are likely better than the D.O.P! Your're right, about one thing - save your money and buy what tastes good - not D.O.P.

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"We make great pizza, with sourdough when we can, commercial yeast when we must, but always great pizza." Craig's Neapolitan Garage